Device for the practice of a water sport

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to floating devices for leisure and sports, and more particularly to water skis equipped with hydrofoils. The technical result is as follows: using claimed device, the user can travel not only on the water surface, but also on land without removing skis, as well as glide on hydrofoils or in a conventional water ski mode, and perform acrobatic maneuvers. The present device for the practice of a water sport comprises a pair of water skis. Each ski is comprised of a nose part and a tail part. The nose part is connected to the tail part by means of hinged fastenings. Water skis are equipped with a hydrofoil that can be flush with the bottom surface of the water ski.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to floating devices for leisure and sports, and more particularly to water skis equipped with hydrofoils.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

CN101700430 “Amphibious slider” filed Oct. 14, 2009, Application Ser. No. 200910019346.5, publication date May 5, 2010, discloses an amphibious slider, in which a pair of water skis is made as skateboards equipped with: four wheels in nose and tail parts of each ski; underwater bowls attached to a telescopic keel; one user foot mount on each ski; three movable stabilizers attached under a bottom of each ski, each of the stabilizers having free edges fastened together along an axis and controlled by foot pedals mounted on an upper part of the skis, thereby allowing the stabilizers to be closed and opened repeatedly.

To move overland, the stabilizers are raised under the bottom of the ski, the telescopic keel is retracted such that the bowl is below the bottom of the ski but above the level of contact of the wheels with the ground.

The design of the known amphibious slider includes the following disadvantages:

1. Since the amphibious slider is intended for use on a flat land surface, its application on a rocky, sandy or any other uneven and irregular surface makes it difficult for the user to move on this device and increases the likelihood of damage to the user.

2. When the amphibious slider is used as a water ski, the presence of the wheels increases the device resistance to water, and it is impossible to enter a hydroplaning mode on such a device.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,751,612A filed Mar. 1, 1954, application Ser. No. 413,199, publication date Jun. 26, 1956, discloses hydrofoil water skis. The apparatus consists of a pair of water skis, each of which is equipped with a hydrofoil. The hydrofoil is rigidly attached to the ski and is arranged under the ski by using a fastening means made as two V-shaped struts. The water ski also comprises a means for securing a user foot and a device for selectively adjusting the inclination of the hydrofoil in relation to the ski to be able to use different angles of attack in water, for which reason its lift force may vary.

The disadvantage of the apparatus known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,751,612 A is the rigid attachment of the hydrofoil to the water ski, which makes it difficult and dangerous to move on the skis through the water near underwater hazards, such as fishing nets, underwater reefs, shallows, etc. The movement of a user on the water surface without using the hydrofoil on the apparatus is impossible. It is also impossible for the user to go to the shore without taking off the water skis, since there is a risk of damage to the water skis, the hydrofoils, and the user himself/herself. Furthermore, due to the dimensions of the known product, users have difficulties in carrying and transporting the water skis, for example, in a passenger car, aircraft luggage and other vehicles.

The technical solution disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,751,612 A is the closest to the claimed invention and is taken as a prototype.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem to be solved by the claimed invention is to create a small-sized device for the practice of water sports, which is used for traveling on a water surface, provides the possibility of hydroplaning on the water surface both on a water ski and using a hydrofoil, as well as allows a user to independently come ashore, without taking off the device and regardless of the type of a shore surface.

The problem posed above is solved by the fact that a device for the practice of a water sport comprises a pair of water skis equipped with hydrofoils that are connected to the water skis by means of a mount. The water skis themselves are configured to support a person standing thereon and comprises a means for securing a foot which is mounted on an upper surface of the water skis. Each water ski is comprised of a nose part and a tail part. The nose part is connected to the tail part by means of hinged fastenings arranged on both sides of the means for securing the foot. The nose part is configured to be folded upwards relative to a longitudinal axis of the tail part of the water ski and rigidly fixed in an extreme upper position. In a horizontal position, the nose part is rigidly fixed coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the tail part of the water ski. The means for securing the foot of the person on the water ski is mounted on the tail part of the water ski. Furthermore, there is a localized enlargement on the upper surface of the tail part of the water ski, which is configured as a vertical protrusion having a through-aperture running upwards at an angle of from 60 to 110 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the water ski in a direction of forward movement of the water ski. On the side of a bottom surface of the water ski, at an exit point of the through-aperture, a recess is provided for receiving a hydrofoil such that the hydrofoil lies flush with the bottom surface of the water ski. A means for fastening the hydrofoil to the water ski is configured as a strut fastened to the hydrofoil at such an angle to an longitudinal axis of the hydrofoil that the longitudinal axis of the hydrofoil is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the water ski. The strut is mounted in the through-aperture of the vertical protrusion of the water ski such as to be capable of moving in the through-aperture and of being fixed in at least two extreme positions, namely when the hydrofoil is raised and placed in the recess of the water ski and when the hydrofoil is lowered below the water ski.

The problem posed above is also solved by the fact that

-   -   a boot configured to be unfastened from the water ski is used as         the means for securing the foot of the person on the water ski;     -   the rigid fixation of the strut of the hydrofoil in the         through-aperture of the vertical protrusion of the water ski is         implemented by means of a bolted connection;     -   the strut of the hydrofoil has a cross-sectional shape identical         to a cross-sectional shape of the aperture made in the vertical         protrusion of the water ski;     -   the through-aperture in the vertical protrusion is made directly         behind the means for securing the foot on the longitudinal axis         of the tail part of the water ski;     -   the through-aperture in the vertical protrusion is made with a         displacement on one side or another side from the longitudinal         axis of the tail part of the water ski.

The technical result achieved when solving the problem posed above is as follows. The set of essential features of the claimed device for the practice of water sports, which is equipped with the hydrofoils, allows one to create the device for the practice of a water sport, by which:

-   -   the user may travel not only on the water surface, but also, if         required, independently come ashore without taking off the water         skis, as well as enter the water from the shore by placing the         hydrofoil in the recess in the lower surface of the tail part of         the water ski and lifting the nose part of the water ski thanks         to the hinged connection of the nose and tail parts;     -   the user may perform hydroplaning both using the hydrofoil and         in a conventional water ski mode, as well as perform acrobatic         maneuvers;     -   the dimensions of the device in a transport position are reduced         due to the hinged connection of the tail and nose parts of the         water skis, which allows the nose part to be raised to a         vertical position, as well as allows the strut to move in the         vertical protrusion and allows the hydrofoil to be placed in the         recess in the lower surface of the tail part of the water ski.

Given the aforesaid, it can be concluded that the set of essential features of the claimed invention has a causal relationship with the achieved technical result, i.e., this set of features of the invention makes it possible to solve the problem posed above. Therefore, the claimed invention is novel, involves an inventive step, and is susceptible of industrial application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The essence of the device is explained by the drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a general view of a device in a working condition in the mode of traveling on water by using a hydrofoil;

FIG. 2 shows a general view of the device in a hydroplaning mode directly on a water ski without using the hydrofoil;

FIG. 3 shows a general view of the device in a folded condition, which is used when a user goes on land, moves from land to water, and for transportation;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the device with options for the placement of apertures for a strut of the hydrofoil;

FIG. 5 shows a view of the device with the strut displaced in a vertical protrusion away from a longitudinal axis of a tail part of the water ski and placed in a through-aperture at an angle of 60°;

FIG. 6 shows a view of the device with the strut arranged directly behind a means for securing a foot on the longitudinal axis of the tail part of the water ski and placed in the through-aperture at an angle of 110°.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A device for the practice of a water sport comprises a pair of water skis. Each water ski is comprised of a nose part 1 and a tail part 2. A means 3 for securing a foot of a person on the water ski is mounted on the tail part 2 of the water ski. The nose part 1 is connected to the tail part 2 by means of hinged fastenings 4 (FIG. 4) which are arranged on both sides of the means 3 for securing the foot. The nose part 1 of the water ski is configured to be folded upwards relative to a longitudinal axis of the tail part 2 of the water ski and rigidly fixed in an extreme upper position (FIG. 3). In a horizontal position, the nose part 1 of the water ski is rigidly fixed coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the tail part 2 of the water ski. There is a localized enlargement on the upper surface of the tail part 2 of the water ski, which is configured as a vertical protrusion 5 having a through-aperture 6 running upwards at an angle of from 60 (FIGS. 5) to 110 (FIG. 6) degrees to the longitudinal axis of the water ski in the direction of forward movement of the water ski. Each water ski is equipped with a hydrofoil 7. On the side of a bottom surface of the water ski, at the exit point of the through-aperture 6, a recess 8 is provided for receiving the hydrofoil 7 such that the hydrofoil 7 lies flush with the bottom surface of the water ski. A means for fastening the hydrofoil 7 to the tail part 2 of the water ski is configured as a strut 9 attached to the hydrofoil 7 at such an angle to a longitudinal axis of the hydrofoil 7 that the longitudinal axis of the hydrofoil 7 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the water ski. The strut 9 is mounted in the through-aperture 6 of the vertical protrusion 5 of the water ski such as to be capable of moving in the through-aperture 6 and of being fixed in at least two extreme positions, namely when the hydrofoil 7 is raised and placed in the recess 8 of the water ski (FIG. 2) and when the hydrofoil 7 is lowered below the water ski (FIG. 1). A boot configured to be unfastened from the water ski is used as the means 3 for securing the foot of the person on the water ski. The rigid fixation of the strut 9 of the hydrofoil 7 in the through-aperture 6 of the vertical protrusion 5 of the water ski is implemented by means of a bolted connection 10. The rigid strut 9 of the hydrofoil 7 has a cross-sectional shape identical to a cross-sectional shape of the aperture 6 made in the vertical protrusion 5 of the water ski. The through-aperture 6 in the vertical protrusion 5 may be implemented in three arrangement options, both directly behind the means 3 for securing the foot on the longitudinal axis of the tail part 2 of the water ski, and with a displacement on one side or another side from the longitudinal axis of the tail part 2 of the water ski.

The figures additionally show a water surface 11.

The device operates as follows.

Mode of hydroplaning on the water skis (FIG. 2). A user puts on the boot as the means 3 for securing his/her foot and places the boot on the tail part 2 of the water ski. Next, the user brings the device into operation by lowering the nose part 1 of the water ski in one plane with the tail part 2 by means of the hinged fastening 4 and fixes the nose part 1 in a horizontal position. The hydrofoil 7 is arranged in the recess 8 of the tail part 2 of the water ski, while the strut 9 is arranged in the through- aperture 6 of the vertical protrusion 5 in the extreme upper position and is fixed by means of the bolt connection 10. Then, the user begins to move along the water surface, holding on to a halyard attached to a motorboat, kite, jet ski or other means providing propulsion. The movement is carried out in the mode of hydroplaning on the water skis.

Mode of user movement on the hydrofoil in the water column (FIGS. 1, 5 and 6). A user puts on the boot as the means 3 for securing his/her foot and places the boot on the tail part 2 of the water ski. Next, the user brings the device into operation by lowering the nose part 1 of the water ski in one plane with the tail part 2 by means of the hinged connection 4 and fixes the nose part 1 in a horizontal position. The user brings the hydrofoil 7 and the strut 9 to the extreme lowest position by fixing the strut 9 by means of the bolt connection 10. Then, the user begins to move along the water surface, holding on to a halyard attached to a motorboat, kite, jet ski or other means providing propulsion. As the speed of the user increases, the hydrofoils develop sufficient lift to raise the water skis and the user out of the water, thereby significantly reducing the resistance to movement. Due to the difference in a water flow pressure on both sides of the hydrofoil, a lifting force appears, the magnitude of which will depend on the speed of movement, the size of the hydrofoil and the arrangement of the hydrofoil relative to the flow. The lifting force is eventually balanced by the user weight and equipment, reaching the point where the hydrofoil is no longer raised out of the water but remains in balance. When moving in this mode, the user may ignore a small wave which reduces the speed of movement during its contact with the water skis. Due to greater maneuverability and the presence of the two independent hydrofoils, the user may perform acrobatic maneuvers. Furthermore, once a sufficient speed is reached, the user may release the tension on or fully release the tow halyard and continue his/her movement on a big wave as a surfer.

After the movement on the water is completed, the user places the hydrofoil 7 in the recess 8 of the tail part 2 of the water ski by lifting the strut 9 in the extreme upper position, and lifts and fixes the nose part 1 in a vertical position. Then, the user may move along the shallows or the shore without taking off the device for water sports (FIG. 3).

Thus, the claimed design of the water skis increases the maneuverability of user movement on water, increases his/her ability to perform acrobatic maneuvers, and allows the user to hydroplane on the water surface both on the water skis and on the hydrofoil. Furthermore, the claimed device design allows the user to come ashore and enter the water without taking off the water skis, and the water skis themselves have small dimensions allowing them to be easily transported in almost any vehicle. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for the practice of a water sport, comprising: a pair of water skis equipped with hydrofoils that are connected to the water skis by means of a mount, wherein the water skis are configured to support a person standing thereon and comprise a means for securing a foot which is mounted on an upper surface of the water skis, wherein each water ski is comprised of a nose part and a tail part, the nose part being connected to the tail part by using hinged fastenings arranged on both sides of the means for securing the foot, wherein the nose part is configured to be folded upwards relative to a longitudinal axis of the tail part of the water ski and rigidly fixed in an extreme upper position, wherein, in a horizontal position, the nose part is rigidly fixed coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the tail part of the water ski, wherein the means for securing the foot of the person on the water ski is mounted on the tail part of the water ski, wherein there is a localized enlargement on the upper surface of the tail part of the water ski, the localized enlargement being configured as a vertical protrusion having a through-aperture which runs upwards at an angle of from 60 to 110 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the water ski in a direction of forward movement of the water ski, wherein, on the side of a bottom surface of the water ski, at an exit point of the through-aperture, a recess is provided for receiving a hydrofoil such that the hydrofoil lies flush with the bottom surface of the water ski, wherein a means for fastening the hydrofoil to the water ski is configured as a strut fastened to the hydrofoil at such an angle to an longitudinal axis of the hydrofoil that the longitudinal axis of the hydrofoil is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the water ski, wherein the strut is mounted in the through-aperture of the vertical protrusion of the water ski such as to be capable of moving in the through-aperture and of being fixed in at least two extreme positions, namely when the hydrofoil is raised and placed in the recess of the water ski and when the hydrofoil is lowered below the water ski.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein a boot configured to be unfastened from the water ski is used as the means for securing the foot of the person on the water ski.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the strut of the hydrofoil is rigidly fixed in the through-aperture of the vertical protrusion of the water ski by using a bolted connection.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the strut of the hydrofoil has a cross-sectional shape identical to a cross-sectional shape of the aperture made in the vertical protrusion of the water ski.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the through-aperture in the vertical protrusion is made directly behind the means for securing the foot on the longitudinal axis of the tail part of the water ski.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the through-aperture in the vertical protrusion is made with a displacement on one side or another side from the longitudinal axis of the tail part of the water ski. 